Abstract: A computer-implemented method (600) and system (1) for verifying ownership of a computer software after installation and prior to execution using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (610) a second user public key associated with a second user (24) from a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). A second public key associated with the second user may be determined (620) from an entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (630) the second user public key and the second public key, and verifying (640) the ownership of the computer software based on the comparing of the second user public key and the second public key.

Abstract: A method of creating, redeeming and transferring tokens associated with tokens on a peer-to-peer distributed ledger. The method includes including metadata associated with the token in a redeem script, wherein the redeem script is associated with a transaction of cryptocurrency on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger. One aspect of the invention provides a method of issuing and/or transferring a token, comprising the steps of generating a blockchain transaction (Tx) having an output (TxO) related to a quantity of cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, and a hash of a redeem script. The redeem script comprises metadata which in turn comprises a token. The token is a representation of, or a reference to, a tokenised entity. The redeem script also comprises at least one (preferably two or more) public cryptographic keys. The metadata is provided in the redeem script at a location which is designated in the underlying blockchain protocol as a location for a cryptographic key.

Abstract: A method for generating a dialogue event in a natural language processing system comprises loading, into a computer memory, a computer-readable seed command describing an ordered sequence of two or more top-level dialogue events. A dialogue event includes a client utterance or a computerized assistant response. The seed command includes one or more sub-commands, each sub-command corresponding to a portion of the ordered sequence of two or more top-level dialogue events, and the focal sub-command of the one or more sub-commands being parametrized by a seed semantic parameter. The method further comprises re-parametrizing the focal sub-command by outputting a plurality of different re-parametrized focal sub-commands wherein, in each re-parametrized focal sub-command, the seed semantic parameter is replaced by one of a plurality of different synthetic semantic parameters.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for testing a squib circuit. An electrical signature of the squib circuit is monitored when a test switch in the squib circuit is activated. The electrical signature of the squib circuit is based on characterizing resistors electrically connected to squibs in the squib circuit in which each characterizing resistor in the characterizing resistors has a resistance value. A health of each squib in the squib circuit is determined based on the electrical signature of the squib circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for implementing, controlling and automating a task or process on a blockchain such as, but not limited to, the Bitcoin blockchain. The invention is particularly suited for, but not limited to, automated execution of contracts such as smart contracts for financial agreements. However, other types of tasks and non-financial contracts can be implemented. The invention can be viewed as the implementation or incarnation of a state machine or DFA on a blockchain by using the unspent outputs of blockchain Transactions to represents the states of the machine, and spending of those outputs as the transition of the machine from one state to another. The invention provides a technical realisation and implementation of a mathematical model of computation conceived as an abstract machine that can be in one of a finite set of states, and can change from one state to another (transition) when a triggering event of a finite set (called input) occurs.

Abstract: A method for configuring an automated dialog system uses traces of interactions via a graphical user interface (GUI) for an application. Each trace includes interactions in the context of a plurality of presentations of the GUI. Elements of one or more presentations of the GUI are identified, and templates are associated with portions of the trace. Each template has one or more defined inputs and a defined output. For each template of the plurality of templates, the portions of the traces are processed to automatically configure the template by specifying a procedure for providing values of inputs to the template via the GUI and obtaining a value of an output. The automated dialog system is configured with the configured templates, thereby avoiding manual configuration of the dialog system.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion proteins, polynucleotides, kits, as well as TALE- or CRISPR-Cas based systems and methods. The present invention relies on proximity-dependent biotinylation, which allows site-directed protein or DNA purification and identification. The present invention provides tools for delineating the genetics of disease mechanism and for the identification of therapeutic targets and markers.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: An aircraft-mounted external fire detection system includes optical circuitry and processing circuitry. The optical circuitry is mounted on an aircraft forward of an engine nacelle of the aircraft, and is configured to optically monitor an exterior of the engine nacelle for a hydrocarbon fire by detecting radiation outside of the visible light spectrum. The processing circuitry is communicatively coupled to the optical circuitry and is configured to use the optical circuitry to determine that the fire has been continuously present for more than a threshold duration, and in response, transmit a warning to an operator terminal of the aircraft.

Abstract: Described herein are stable hydroxide ion-exchange polymers and devices including the stable hydroxide ion-exchange N polymers. The polymers include ionenes, which are polymers that contain ionic amines in the backbone. The polymers are alcohol-soluble and water-insoluble. The polymers have a water uptake and an ionic conductivity that are correlated to a degree of N-substitution. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes including the polymers are also provided. The polymers are suitable, for example, for use as ionomers in catalyst layers for fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Abstract: Described herein are crosslinked alkylated poly(benzimidazole) and poly(imidazole) polymer materials and devices (e.g., fuel cells, water electrolyzers) including these polymer materials. The polymer materials can be prepared in a convenient manner, allowing for applications such as anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The membranes provide high anion conductivities over a wider range of operating conditions when compared to the analogous membranes that are not cross-linked. The crosslinked polymer materials have improved alkaline stability, when compared to the analogous non-crosslinked polymer materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel and advantageous method and corresponding system. The invention is implemented via a distributed electronic ledge (blockchain). This may or may not be the Bitcoin blockchain. The invention is suited for the exchange or transfer of an asset, e.g. a digital asset, such as tickets and the like (but not limited in this regard).

Abstract: A memory component includes a first memory bank. The first memory bank has a plurality of sub-arrays having sub-rows of memory elements. The memory component includes a write driver, coupled to the first memory bank, to perform a write operation of an entire sub-row of a sub-array. To perform the write operation, the write driver is to load a burst of write data to the memory bank. The memory bank may then activate a plurality of sense amplifiers associated with a plurality of memory elements of the entire sub-row to load the burst of write data to the plurality of sense amplifiers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (600) and system (1) for verifying ownership of a computer software for installation using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative blockchain implementation. The method includes determining (610) a second user public key associated with a second user (24) from a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). A second public key associated with the second user may be determined (620) from an entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (630) the second user public key and the second public key, and verifying (640) the ownership of the computer software based on the comparing of the second user public key and the second public key.

Abstract: The invention provides a generic operating system for coordinating, controlling and/or influencing the activities of a device. The invention is implemented using a blockchain platform with which the operating system is arranged to interact. The blockchain may be the Bitcoin blockchain. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an Internet of Things (IOT) device. The invention provides a computer-implemented control system and corresponding method for controlling a device, the system comprising a device configured for wireless communication with a network and having an IP address and a public-private key cryptographic key pair associated with the device; a software-implemented control component arranged to monitor the state of a blockchain network and/or transmit blockchain Transactions to the blockchain network; and a set of instructions arranged for execution by the control component to control the functionality of the device.

Abstract: The invention presents a solution in which blockchain Transactions are created to implement the functionality of a logic gate. The invention may be implemented on the Bitcoin platform or an alternative blockchain platform. The transaction includes a locking script which comprises instructions selected so as to implement the functionality of an logic gate such as the XOR gate. When the script is executed (because a second transaction is attempting to spend the output associated with the locking script) the inputs will be processed by the conditional instructions to provide an output of TRUE or FALSE. The second transaction is transmitted to the blockchain network for validation and, if determined to be valid, it will be written to the blockchain. Validation of the second transaction can be interpreted as a TRUE output. Thus, the locking script of the first transaction provides the functionality of the desired logic gate.

Abstract: The invention presents a solution in which blockchain Transactions are created to implement the functionality of a logic gate. The invention may be implemented on the Bitcoin platform or an alternative blockchain platform. The transaction includes a locking script which comprises instructions selected so as to implement the functionality of a logic gate, such as the XOR gate. When the script is executed (because a second transaction is attempting to spend the output associated with the locking script) the inputs will be processed by the conditional instructions to provide an output of TRUE or FALSE. The inputs are pre-processed by one or more computing agents so that they are evaluated to TRUE or FASLE prior to being used as inputs to the script. The second transaction is transmitted to the blockchain network for validation and, if determined to be valid, it will be written to the blockchain. Validation of the second transaction can be interpreted as a TRUE output.

Abstract: The invention comprises a computer-implemented method and system for controlling an exchange process, such as a loan, conducted between at least two parties via a blockchain such as the Bitcoin blockchain. A method according to the invention may comprise the step of generating a first blockchain transaction which includes a redeem script. The redeem script comprises a cryptographic public key associated with an initiating party and metadata which includes a hash of an exchange-related document; a redeem address; and an amount of digital currency. A second blockchain transaction is generated and published to the blockchain so as to spend the digital currency to the redeem address. This provides the advantage that the further transaction will be publically available and thus detectable by other parties once it has been published. The further transaction can provide the information necessary to trigger a response e.g. an offer from another (responding) party who publishes their response on the blockchain.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining the validity of a token (T) associated with a quantity of cryptocurrency is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: a second user (B) receiving, over a communications network, a first transaction comprising a transfer of the token (T) from a first user (A) to the second user (B), querying a peer-to-peer distributed ledger to determine whether an authenticated transaction associated with the token (T) can be identified, wherein the authenticated transaction comprises a previous transaction associated with the token (T) and wherein the token (T) has been authorised and responsive to identifying an authenticated transaction, determining that the token (T) is valid.